Truck loading safety tips

Securing truck loads for safe transport

Getting your product to customers is a big step in your manufacturing process. That means taking some extra time and precautions to make sure the truck ride goes smoothly. We have some tips to help you.

Improper loading techniques can lead to weight and balance problems and can hurt vehicle performance—including steering, braking, and speed control. And if the cargo isn’t secured properly, you could experience shifting loads, loss of vehicle control, and other road hazards. All of these problems often become a contributing factor in truck accidents.

It’s a situation you can help avoid. We’ve found common problem areas when it comes to improperly loading products on a truck:

Overloading

Trucks hauling loads exceeding gross vehicle weight ratings can lead to equipment and brake failures, as well as increased stopping distances. Add in poor weather and road features like steep downgrades, and the problems can escalate quickly.

Center of gravity is too high

Cargo that’s piled or stacked too high can affect handling and lead to roll-overs—especially in turns or where drivers need to make sudden maneuvers to avoid a hazard.

Outsize or oversize loads

Hauling over-length, over-width, or oversized loads require special driving care. These loads require special permits and special equipment like signage, lights, and escort vehicles. In addition to vehicle handling problems, a failure to plan routes can result in damage to roads or even collisions with bridges, tunnels, and other roadway features.

Balancing loads

Off-center or imbalanced loads—both front to back and side to side—can affect handling and even damage the vehicle and tires. Too much or too little weight on the steering axle can affect safe turning, while too much or too little weight on the drive axle can affect traction.

Securing cargo

Failing to properly secure cargo can result in shifting or sliding loads and affect the handling of the vehicle. Cargo on open bed trailers that hasn’t been properly blocked, braced, or tied down can also fall from the trailer and cause a road hazard. Cargo coverings or tarps can tear loose and affect the view of all drivers nearby.

There are things you can do to make the hauling process safer. Try to keep these things in mind when preparing loads:

Train dispatchers to match cargos and payloads to vehicle specifications and capabilities

Establish procedures for drivers to address payload characteristics when picking up sealed trailers